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02/09 12:35 CST Italy beats Japan, Germany tops France in advancing to Olympic
women's hockey quarterfinals
Italy beats Japan, Germany tops France in advancing to Olympic women's hockey
quarterfinals
By JOHN WAWROW
AP Hockey Writer
MILAN (AP) --- Host nation Italy secured a place in the quarterfinals of the
Olympic women's hockey tournament for the first time by beating Japan 3-2 on
Monday.
Germany followed by claiming its spot in the next round with a 2-1 overtime win
over France.
Both Italy and Germany improved to 2-1 and join Sweden (3-0) in completing the
three Group B nations to clinch a quarterfinal berth. Japan and France were
eliminated from contention.
Italy advanced in just its second Olympic appearance, both as the host, after
going 0-4 at the 2006 Turin Games and finishing last among the eight-team field.
"I think this is everybody's dream coming true," Italy's Canada-born goalie
Gabriella Durante said. "Hopefully this just grows hockey in Italia that much
more for little girls all over the country."
Matilde Fantin scored the first two goals, giving Italy a 2-0 lead after the
first period.
After Rui Ukita scored for Japan in the second period, Italy responded with
Kristin Della Rovere scoring in the third. Akane Shiga's goal in the third
period, confirmed after a lengthy video review to check the puck had crossed
the line, kept the pressure on Italy.
Italy's players poured off the bench at the buzzer to hug Durante, who made 27
saves.
"We had so many people blocking shots and dumping pucks in, just hard work that
hurts the body," she said. "Everybody's willing to sacrifice for the family and
it's really an amazing feeling to win like that."
Jobst-Smith scores in OT Katarina Jobst-Smith scored for Germany 1:17 into overtime by snapping in a shot from the high slot just inside the left post. Laura Kluge also scored and Sandra Abstreiter stopped 13 shots. Estelle Duvin forced OT by scoring 8:21 into the third period, and Alice Philbert stopped 44 shots. France finished 0-4 in its Olympic debut, and was outscored by a combined margin of 13-4. Group A Later Monday, the tournament-favored United States will be seeking its third tournament win with a game against Switzerland in Group A. Defending Olympic champion Canada (2-0) will face Czechia. ___ AP Sports Writer James Ellingworth contributed to this report. ___ AP Winter Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/milan-cortina-2026-winter-olympics |
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